Bible Study

Bible Study January 9, 2025

2 Timothy 2:14 – 19 (New King James Version

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Do you know the use of the name “The Bible” does not appear in the scriptures. In fact the term Bible takes its name from the Latin Biblia (‘book’ or ‘books’) which comes from the Greek Ta Biblia (‘the books’) traced to the Phoenician port city of Gebal, known as Byblos to the Greeks. (World History Encyclopedia).

From a human perspective we might ask how did we get the name “Bible. “The biblical scholar F. F. Bruce notes that John Chrysostom appears to be the first writer (in his Homilies on Matthew, delivered between 386 and 388 CE) to use the Greek phrase ta biblia (“the books”) to describe both the Old and New Testaments together.

After a bit of introduction there. So which “scriptures” should I read? There are a number of translations available. If you were to go to Bible Gateway you have at your fingertips a number or translations. Many people like the King James saying it is the most authentic, but can you easily understand what it says with all the “thou”s” it contains?

Some recent translations are excellent. Many people choose the New International Version, many like the English Standard Version (my favorite along with others), the New American Standard Bible (1977). A recent translation came out titled “The Legacy” Bible is also excellent. I will on occasion and in this Sunday I am quoting from Eugene Peterson’s translation “The Message.” He has a unique way of saying some things. If you want to really take a look at the scriptures from a Jewish perspective our Praise Band Leader in Ohio Greg put me onto “The One Man Bible.” Unfortunately it is not on Bible Gateway. But it gives deep meaning.

With that what is the best translation for me? The simple answer is the one that you will read. Check out Bible Gateway for some different translations, find one you are comfortable with then get a good study Bible (there I go using that term again). You can find great prices on Bibles from Christianbook.com. There is also an online bookstore called “Thrift books” you can find some deals.

Any questions send me a note I’ll be happy to help. We have a bookshelf in the foyer of our church for people to get a free Bible if the need one. You might check that out for your church if you do not have one.

God Bless.